BOS Nyaru Menteng 19th Orangutan Release Candidate Profiles
8 November 2017 — In line with the #OrangutanFreedom campaign that aims to introduce 100 orangutans to natural habitat this year, the BOS Foundation today is releasing another batch of 12 orangutans into the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park Forest in Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan. Here are the profiles of the twelve amazing orangutans.
1. STUART
Stuart was rescued on April 5, 2003, from a villager in Parenggean, East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan. He was just under a year old and weighed 3.9 kilograms when he came to Nyaru Menteng.
On June 6, 2016, Stuart was transported to Bangamat pre-release island following completion of Forest School. He adapted well to the environment, and now after more than a year of training on the island is showing great independence.
Stuart is now 15 years old and weighs 44.8 kg. Short-haired throughout his childhood, he has since grown into a strong orangutan with a handsome, thick beard, and growing signs of cheekpads. Stuart is more than ready to live in the natural habitat of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
2. IMOT
Imot was confiscated from a villager in Luwuk Bunter, East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, on November 1, 2009. He came to Nyaru Menteng when he was 2.5 years old, weighing 6 kilograms.
Imot progressed through the stages of Forest School and was transferred to Palas pre-release island on March 18, 2014. After two years on Palas, he was moved to Bangamat Island for the final stage of pre-release training.
Imot is now 11 years old and weighs 42.3 kg. Eight years of rehabilitation has helped him regain his wild behaviours and master his survival skills, which will help him thrive when he is finally released to a wild habitat.
3. NANGA
Nanga was repatriated from Thailand in 2006. She was brought to Nyaru Menteng when she was 5.5 years old and weighed 22 kilograms. Nanga endured a long adaptation process due to her close interaction with humans while in captivity, yet managed to pass all the stages of Forest School by 2009.
On May 20, 2010, when she was around 10 years old, she gave birth to a healthy male. Nanga had to be separated from the baby, named Ben, due to her young age. Ben was raised under supervision by the medical team and a babysitter.
On March 24, 2016, Nanga finally got her chance to live on Bangamat pre-released island, where she flourished and developed her foraging skills. After 11 years of rehabilitation, gentle-eyed Nanga is now 17 years old and weighs 39.4 kg. She is now ready to live independently in a wild forest.
4. ROWO
Rowo was rescued on January 25, 2004, from a villager in Horowu, Gunung Mas Regency, Central Kalimantan. She came to Nyaru Menteng when she was 18 months old and weighed 4.7 kilograms.
She joined Nyaru Menteng Forest School soon after her arrival and completed all stages by 2009. However, she didn’t get the opportunity to experience the pre-release stage on Bangamat Island until March 28, 2016.
Rowo is now 15 years old and weighs 53 kg. With the skills she has acquired over the past 13 years, thick-haired Rowo is now ready to live wild and free in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
5. HANGEI
Long-haired Hangei arrived at Nyaru Menteng on September 29, 2008, after being confiscated from a villager in Tumbang Hangei, Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan. She was 4 years old at the time, weighed 6 kilograms, and was exhibiting wild behaviours.
After progressing through all the stages of Forest School, Hangei was moved to Bangamat pre-release island on June 7, 2016, for the final stage of rehabilitation. During her time on Bangamat, Hangei became a keen explorer.
Hangei is now 13 years old and weighs 35.1 kg. After 9 years of rehabilitation, brave Hangei is ready to explore her new home in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
6. RAWA
On May 16, 2005, Rawa was rescued from a villager who had been keeping him illegally as a pet for almost a year in Danau Rawa, Mantangai Sub-District, Kapuas Regency. He arrived at Nyaru Menteng when he was 3 years old and weighed 8.7 kilograms.
His first years at Nyaru Menteng were the most difficult for him, as he suffered from malaria and prolonged typhus. After a long period of intensive care under the watchful eyes of our dedicated medical team and babysitters, Rawa completely recovered.
Rawa developed and honed his skills in Forest School, and had completed all stages by July 2009. He proceeded to the pre-release stage of rehabilitation on April 7, 2016, and was moved to Kaja Island.
Rawa is now 15 years old and weighs 58.7 kg. His thick hair, long jaw, and thin golden beard make him stand out among other male orangutans. After 12 long years of rehabilitation, this tough stud is ready to return to the wild.
7. SUKAMARA
Sukamara was repatriated from Thailand in 2006. She came to Nyaru Menteng together with Nanga on November 22, 2006. She was 9 years old at the time and was in good health.
In Nyaru Menteng, Sukamara joined a special Forest School class designed for repatriated orangutans from Thailand. She was moved to Palas pre-release island on May 6, 2014, and was subsequently moved to Bangamat Island on June 14, 2016.
A dominant figure among females, Sukamara is now 20 years old and weighs 41.4 kg. Armed with the skills she has developed and honed over 11 years of rehabilitation, Sukamara is more than ready to explore her new home in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
8. REBECCA
Rebecca was rescued by a joint team from BOS Foundation Nyaru Menteng and the Central Kalimantan BKSDA, in the town of Sampit, East Kotawiringin Regency, on February 5, 2006. She arrived at Nyaru Menteng dehydrated and underweight at only 4.5 kilograms when she was just 2 years old.
Ten years after arriving, Rebecca completed the Forest School stages of her rehabilitation process and moved to the pre-release stage on Kaja Island, on August 3, 2016. She progressed well on Kaja, skilfully building nests, foraging and exploring the island.
Rebecca is now 13 years old and weighs 31 kg. She has grown into an amazing figure, and will soon taste true freedom when she is released to the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
9. KAHIM
Kahim was rescued from a PT. Solonok Ladang Mas palm-oil plantation concession area in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan, together with two other orangutans (Leggi and Endut). The three were being kept illegally as pets by plantation workers at their barracks. Kahim arrived at Nyaru Menteng on February 2, 2007, at the age of 2 years and weighing 5.5 kilograms.
During his rehabilitation, Kahim grew into an active and social orangutan, and became close friends with Gurita (who has already been released to the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park). After completing Forest School, Kahim entered the pre-release stage on Palas Island on March 25, 2014, and was moved to Bangamat Island on April 8, 2017. During his time on Palas and Bangamat, Kahim became a good explorer.
Kahim is now 12 years old and weighs 45.6 kg. Friendly Kahim, who has a sharp stare, strong jaw, and thin golden beard, is well liked by other orangutans. He will soon become a wild, independent orangutan when he follows in his pal Gurita’s footsteps to live in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
10. PUPUT
On January 27, 2006, Puput was confiscated from a local resident of Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, when she was 3 years old and weighed 8.3 kilograms.
Puput, a female with cheekpad-like features on her face, progressed through the rehabilitation process and was moved to the pre-release island of Palas on December 10, 2010. She was then moved to Kaja Island on July 20, 2015. During her time on the islands, Puput steadily built on her exploration and adaptation skills.
Puput is now 14 years old and weighs 40.3 kg. After 12 long years of rehabilitation at Nyaru Menteng, she is ready to explore the wild forest of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park, her new home.
11. PUJI
Puji was rescued from a palm-oil plantation in Keruing Raya Estate, Keruing village, East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan. She was taken to Nyaru Menteng on February 24, 2007, when she was less than 12 months old and weighed 3.9 kilograms.
During her Forest School days, Puji developed her basic survival skills and proceeded to the pre-release stage on Kaja Island, on August 3, 2016. Puji adapted well to her new surroundings, and with best friend Bruni explored, foraged, and expanded on her nest-building skills.
Puji is now 11 years old and weighs 35.8 kg. Armed with a sound skillset, she is now ready to have some new adventures with bestie Bruni in the forests of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park.
12. BRUNI
Bruni was brought to Nyaru Menteng on June 25, 2008, when she was 2 years old and weighed 8 kilograms. She was rescued from a PT. Tunas Agro Subur Kencana (PT TASK) palm-oil plantation located in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan.
Bruni progressed through the various stages of Forest School before moving to Bangamat pre-release island for the next step of rehabilitation on June 7, 2016. There, Bruni proved she had the skills to survive, showing excellent progress in exploring and foraging. On the island, she was frequently observed spending time with her best friend, Puji.
Bruni is now 11 years old and weighs 32.5 kg. This beautiful girl is ready to explore the wild habitat of the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park alongside bestie Puji.
Learn more about the Release Program here.
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